OBJECTIVE: Brain metastasis from ovarian cancer is a rare phenomenon and only a few studies have focused on it. The present trial aimed to evaluate the predictive factors involved in its development, and the outcomes for women with this kind of evolution, based on exploration of real-life data.
METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study conducted on data of fifty women with brain metastasis from ovarian cancer treated from 2001 to 2021.
RESULTS: The presence of a high-grade serous carcinoma was a significant factor for the development of secondary brain lesions. Older age at metastatic diagnosis and platinum sensitivity were good predictive factors. Surgery of the primary lesion was also a significant factor for good prognosis. In multivariate analysis age at brain metastasis, more than 2 lesions and sensitivity to platinum salts were three significant prognostic factors contrary to the biomarker CA 125, the initial stage, and the number of previous lines of treatment. The prognosis with this dissemination remains poor, with a median overall survival of 14 months.
CONCLUSION: This study provided real-life data with clinical characterization and an evaluation of therapeutic strategies in case of encephalic involvement. Age at brain metastasis and the presence of more than 2 lesions were factors for poor prognosis, whereas sensitivity to platinum salts appeared to be a factor for good prognosis. This study should be extended with the use of larger databases and a more detailed molecular investigation to adapt the therapeutic management for this category of patients.
